Monday, 23 April 2012

News piece

Thomas Rannachan, is a 35 year old Trust member who is
standing as an Independent candidate in the upcoming local elections on
Thursday May 3rd 2012.

As an Independent, he isn’t tied down by party politics nor
does he have a political agenda to pursue either. Instead, he is standing on
one particular issue, the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening
Communications (Scotland) Act 2012 which came into force in March. A Bill
forced through by the SNP when there wasn’t a need for such legislation as
everything it covers, was already in force in Scots law anyway.

Instead, Thomas believes this to be a blatant attack on
freedom of speech which simply shouldn’t be allowed in a democratic society. He
goes further to say that be he feels this to be an attack primarily centred
against Celtic and Rangers fans. His campaign is to highlight the injustices of
this Bill and the cloak and dagger approach adopted by the authorities.

An experienced civil servant with a wealth of experience of
youth work behind him, it’s the younger football fans he is worried for and
believes that they will be the ones most likely to be caught up by this Bill
and wrongly punished. If elected, Thomas hopes to be a voice of reason and open
up a dialogue with the Police to get more transparency on this Bill and their
approach to enforcing it. And, to also take up anyone’s case who should fall
foul of the Bill to offer support and fight for fairness in the ensuing
process.

Thomas is standing in Ward 9 which covers parts of
Dennistoun, Calton, Camlachie, Bridgeton and Parkhead. Voting is Thursday May 3rd
and he is even willing to concede that many will already know which party they
are voting for, so is happy to accept a second preference vote instead to give
him a fighting chance.